ELSE is partnering with TREC to bring you the Kids' World of Energy Festival! You can learn more about this awesome event here, and no matter your age, check out the festivities and the forward-thinking groups behind them next weekend!

ELSE University of Calgary’s inaugural symposium event on solar energy’s potential in Alberta was a success, with over 85 attendees, including students, professors, and community members.

The panelists, including two from the private sector and two university professors, had a diverse background and contributed to the discussion with their unique perspectives. Brodie Yyelland moderated the discussion well, summarizing the main points for the audience throughout the evening.

Solar energy currently contributes less than 0.1% of Alberta’s electricity generation capacity

Alberta is creating a new path based on proposed climate change initiatives and policies

Phasing out coal is being accelerated

New carbon tax introduced

Significant investment has been proposed in the Climate Energy Plan

By 2030, the Government’s goal is to have 30% of electricity generation in Alberta supplied by renewable energy

This was an invaluable experience for the attendees and it was a good kick-off to this student organization at the University of Calgary. It garnered significant interest on campus. Students will be looking forward to the activities and event planned for the upcoming academic year.

However, unanswered questions remain:

What is a practical and achievable goal for the future?

Does Alberta have the right policy environment to incentivize an increase in solar energy development?